Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

LOS ANGELES -- According KTLA News, less than a dozen people were injured following a devastating crash in south Los Angeles. The accident happened around 7:40 p.m. Saturday when a driver in an El Camino traveling at "a high rate of speed" ran several stop lights, lost control, hit two vehicles at the intersection of W. 103rd and S. Main streets, and then jumped onto the sidewalk slamming into pedestrians. After this horrific crash, eleven people were injured and taken to a hospital for treatment. The extent of their injuries was not immediately available.

Cause of the Car Crash in Los Angeles

Based on the limited information provided by KTLA News, it appears the driver of the El Camino may be at fault for the accident due driving at an excessive speed. However, police officials will further investigate the incident to determine if alcohol/drugs, negligence or vehicle malfunctions played a part in this collision.

Car and Pedestrian Accident Injury Liability

Following a serious accident such as this one, the victims or the family of the victims would be well-advised to speak to either a Los Angeles car accident lawyer or a Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyer. Experienced attorneys at our law firm can help the victims protect their legal rights to recover the compensation that they are entitled to. Compensation in a personal injury claim can include medical care costs, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages relating to this horrible accident.

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More than 10 million people live in Los Angeles County, more than any other county in the United States. With such a large population, pedestrian accidents are unfortunately a relatively frequent occurrence. Traffic congestion is a serious issue in southern California, and many residents travel on foot to work and school on a daily basis. Pedestrian accidents include collisions with cars, tractor-trailer trucks, package delivery trucks, buses, trains and other vehicles. Pedestrians struck by cars are subject to permanently life-changing injuries or death. Accidents include pedestrian accidents caused by drunk drivers, distracted drivers, speeding, falling asleep at the wheel, defectively designed intersections and dangerous road conditions.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

Nationwide, a pedestrian is injured in an accident every 8 minutes, and a pedestrian is killed in an accident every 111 minutes. This means that more than 5,000 people are killed and about 64,000 people are injured in accidents each year. Without the protection of the four walls of a motor vehicle, pedestrians can suffer very serious injuries, including spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and numerous broken bones. Pedestrians include walkers, joggers, runners, or anyone walking on foot or in a wheelchair. Pedestrians account for 11% of motor vehicle fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Pedestrian Accidents and Injury Victims' Rights

Injured victims of accidents may have legal rights to compensation for their injuries. If the driver of a vehicle is responsible for causing an accident, the driver may be financially responsible for the victim's injuries, including medical care costs, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages. Depending on the unique circumstances of the pedestrian accident, numerous parties may be responsible.

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Police yesterday arrested 19-year-old Beau Richard Cook, six days after he struck and killed a pedestrian in Santa Ana, the Orange County Register reported. The fatal accident occurred last Wednesday, just before 11:30 p.m. According to news reports, Cook was speeding southbound on Harbor Boulevard in a 2010 Scion when he may have run a red light at Warner Avenue. He lost control of the car, struck a curb and knocked over a fire hydrant. Eloise Aguilar of Santa Ana, who was walking home from work, was struck by Cook's Scion and was killed instantly. Cook was taken to the hospital with injuries to his pelvis and left leg. He was arrested Tuesday shortly after being released from the hospital. He is facing felony charges of vehicular manslaughter along with an enhancement for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Cause of the Fatal Pedestrian Accident

If news reports in the OC Register are accurate, the driver of the Scion is likely responsible for the September 1st accident by driving under the influence of alcohol. However, the cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Pedestrian Accidents and Wrongful Death Liability

In addition to criminal charges for his actions, the driver of the Scion may also be held civilly responsible and financially accountable for the death he caused in this pedestrian accident. In situations such as this fatal Santa Ana pedestrian accident, where a suspected drunk driver is likely at fault for causing someone else's death, the family members of the victim would be well-advised to talk to a knowledgeable wrongful death attorney. A lawyer who has successfully represented victims of alcohol-related pedestrian accidents can advise the victims' family of legal rights, and any potential unique issues that may be relevant to a wrongful death claim. Talking to an attorney soon after an accident is always recommended to preserve evidence while it is still fresh and before witness recollections are forgotten.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Struck and Killed by Allegedly Drunk Teen Driver in Santa Ana" »

A 58-year-old Upland man died Tuesday after he was struck by a Toyota Camry while crossing the street, the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner reported. The man, Frank Raymond Clark, was crossing Euclid Avenue at Ninth Street, when he fell of the curb and in front of a 1995 Toyota Camry stopped at a red light. According to news reports in the Press Enterprise, the woman driving the Camry did not see Clark fall in the street, and began to conduct a right turn, and ran him over. The July 20th accident occurred at 6:16 p.m. Clark was taken to San Antonio Community Hospital where he died of his injuries shortly before 7 p.m.

Our condolences go to the family of Frank Clark and everyone who knew and loved him for their unexpected loss in this devastating accident. Please keep his loved ones in your prayers during this surely very difficult time.

Cause of the Upland Pedestrian Accident

The Upland Police Department is the agency investigating this San Bernardino County fatal pedestrian accident. However, if news reports of this incident are accurate, it appears that the driver of the Camry, who was making a right turn on a red light, caused this crash by failing to see Clark. Police are looking into why he fell back into the street after he had made his way across the intersection.

Wrongful Death Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians are vulnerable at busy intersections, when drivers are not always looking for pedestrians. When a driver fails to see a pedestrian when he or she reasonably should have, the driver may be liable for a pedestrian's wrongful death. In situations such as this one, while Police are still investigating an accident, family members of a victim of an accident would be well advised to seek a consultation with a pedestrian accident lawyer about the family's rights and options in a wrongful death claim. A skilled lawyer who has represented families of pedestrians killed at intersections can help the family understand and protect their legal rights following an accident.

Continue reading "Upland Man Struck and Killed Crossing Street " »

A teenage boy walking on a sidewalk was tragically killed Sunday morning when an out-of-control Chevy Suburban went up onto the sidewalk and struck him, the Santa Clarita Signal reported. The fatal pedestrian accident happened at about 10:25 a.m. on Sunday, on Soledad Canyon Road near Galixy Avenue. The 15-year-old boy walking on the sidewalk, Eric Michael Gilhooley, died at the scene of the crash.

The driver of the Chevy Suburban that struck Gilhooley, a 47-year-old Canyon Country man, suffered only "scratches," the Signal reported. He was not arrested and authorities said it did not appear that alcohol was a factor in the crash. Anyone with information about the accident is asked to contact Detective Jeff Maag of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Santa Clarita Valley Station at (661)255-1121.

Cause of the Fatal Pedestrian Accident

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's Traffic Office is investigating the accident, and why the driver of the Chevy Suburban went off the road and onto the sidewalk. Based upon the limited information, it is not clear if this accident was the result of negligent or reckless driving, a dangerous road condition, or even a possible malfunction in the Suburban. However, as a pedestrian off the road and on a sidewalk, the teen was clearly the victim of this accident.

Pedestrian Accident Wrongful Death

While this accident remains under investigation by law enforcement, the family members of the victim of this crash would be well-advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles wrongful death lawyer who has represented family members in fatal sidewalk pedestrian accidents. A lawyer skilled in the complex legal issues of these type of accidents can help the victim's family understand and protect their legal rights to make sure whoever is responsible for this pedestrian accident is held liable. Damages awarded in a wrongful death claim can include compensation for funeral and burial expenses, future anticipated lifetime earnings of the victim, and loss of love, care, and companionship.

Continue reading "Teen on Sidewalk Killed by Out-Of-Control Vehicle in Canyon Country " »